That pleasant-speaking young horseman, muffled up to the eyes, was a deep designing villain!
He knew well all about Farmer Bertram’s affairs, and his son’s also.
Had Rambling Bob only known him at the moment, and fathomed his deep, dark designs, he would have been spared much misery in after life, and others also.
But of this young stranger we shall quickly hear more.
Let us follow him.
He rode direct to see Farmer Bertram at Four Ash Farm.
As he approached the old farm-house, standing some distance from the road, he stepped under a cluster of trees.
In a very mysterious manner he pulled out of his belt a pair of pistols and examined them.
“They are all right,” he said, with a bitter smile. “It is best to be prepared, I may want to use them.”
Having done this, he rode up a lane and in a few moments stood rapping at the farm-house door with his riding-whip.